Malcolm-Jamal Warner, ‘Cosby Show’ star, dies at 54 while vacationing with family in Costa Rica

Costa Rica: Beloved television actor Malcolm-Jamal Warner, renowned for his Emmy-nominated role as Theo Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show,' has passed away at the age of 54 after a tragic drowning incident while on vacation with his family in Puerto Viejo de Limón.

According to police reports the famous actor died on Sunday afternoon while swimming at Playa Cocles in the Limón province after being caught by powerful rip currents. 

The Costa Rican National Police confirmed that his cause of death was due to asphyxia as the actor drowned despite attempts from the local Red Cross and bystanders to revive him. 

Warner’s Career - A Legacy of Television, Music, and Social Impact

Born August 18, 1970, Warner rose to fame playing the youngest son of the Huxtable family in a groundbreaking series that ran from  1984 to 1992, The Cosby Show. Which led him to receive an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor  in 1986 for his portrayal of Theo in the beloved American comedy sitcom. 

From Theo Huxtable to Grammy Winner - A Multifaceted Career Remembered

The sitcom held the number one spot on American television for a consecutive 5 years. After the series ran its course Warner proceeded to star in another sitcom "Malcolm and Eddie” as well as appeared as a guest star in such sitcoms as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, American Crime Story, Sesame Street, and most recently in Dr. AJ Austin in The Resident. 

Although Malcom had a resounding acting career he also doubled in music and won his first ever Grammy in 2015 for Best Traditional R&B Performance for Jesus Children of America. 

Along with his music and acting career, Malcolm was also a television director who lent his director insights to such shows as Kenan & Kel, All that, and his series Malcom & Eddie. 

The multitalented actor was also a  spoken word artist nominated to receive a Grammy for his spoken word album Hiding In Plain View  in 2013. 

The actor was also seen off screen lending his voice to the characters of The Magic School Bus. 

Throughout the years the actor had also received industry recognition not only for his comedic acting but also for his impact on social conscious projects like in the 1992 educational video Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS, and You. 

Malcolm's net worth is estimated to be somewhere between $6 million and $14 million as his financial records have always been private. 

​​Tributes Pour In from Celebrities and Fans Worldwide

Tributes from all around the world including friends and fans have poured out mourning his passing. With stars like Viola Davis, Taraji P. Henson, Tracee Ellis Ross, Niecy Nash, Magic Johnson and many more expressing their shock and grief as they paid tribute via their social media pages. The actor has left behind his wife and one daughter.

One of the many tributes paid by celebrities nationwide was from Tracee Ellis Ross who had previously starred along Malcom in the sitcom "Reed Between the Lines," as they portrayed a couple. She  expressed her grief via her Instagram account by sharing a picture of them from the sitcom with the caption. 

“I love you, Malcolm. First I met you as Theo with the rest of the world then you were my first TV husband. My heart is so sad. What an actor and friend you were: warm, gentle, present, kind, thoughtful, deep, funny, elegant. You made the world a brighter place. Sending so much love to your family. I’m so sorry for this unimaginable loss.”